23 April 2010
Psalm 105:1-22; Exod. 24:1-18; Col 2:8-23; Matt. 4:12-17

Again the people affirm that all that the Lord has spoken they will do. We make promises all the time with our mouths that we cannot keep. We have good intentions yet we find the truth of original sin and the fall of humankind to be at work within us. Jesus told the apostles in the Great Commission that they were to teach their disciples to obey all that he had commanded. We make it difficult but it does come down to the summary of love God with everything within you and love your neighbor as you love yourself. As the liturgy is completed to establish the covenant with the nation, blood of the sacrifice is thrown on the people and the altar to seal the covenant and then Moses and the elders are in the presence of God and share a meal in His presence, just like communion, we make confession, receive pardon, proclaim the peace and then have a meal to celebrate the peace that has been established. Notice the language concerning the pavement under God’s feet and then go to Revelation 4.

Immediately after his stint in the wilderness Jesus learns John has been arrested and imprisoned. Matthew, who is thought to be primarily writing a Gospel for Jewish believers and non-believers, typically gives us information on how events in Jesus’ life fulfill prophecy concerning Messiah. Jesus’ reaction to John’s arrest is to continue John’s ministry by preaching the message of repentance for the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus’ coming doesn’t change the rules of the game, repentance is still required, grace is not freely distributed. He validates John’s message and mission by taking up that mantle in order to prepare the people.

Paul metaphorically throws the blood of Jesus on the people and says you have been forgiven, you are in covenant with God if you believe in Jesus and His sacrifice on your behalf. He tells them not to go back to the former things, don’t accept all the laws and requirements of keeping festivals and new moons no matter who teaches you these things, they are simply shadows of the better things we have in Jesus, preparing us for the day of His coming to fulfill all righteousness on our behalf and to take the punishment for our sins forever. That He died covered in shame and our sin and was risen from the dead tells us that God is able to forgive sin forever in Him. Paul calls the Colossians, and us, to that radical monotheistic faith of the first commandment from Exodus, we are called to absolute trust in and obedience to Jesus as our savior, nothing else. We have died with Christ in baptism and risen to new life in Him in faith, we no longer need any of those other things.

I will give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!